Laser Therapy in Kennewick for Pain Relief and Faster Recovery

Laser therapy plays an essential role in recovery by helping your body heal faster and feel better without drugs or surgery. At Washington Chiropractic, we integrate Class IV laser therapy into personalized care plans to reduce pain, calm inflammation, and support soft tissue healing. Backed by clinical research, this non-invasive therapy stimulates cellular repair and improves circulation through targeted light energy.

Whether you’re managing a new injury or dealing with chronic pain, laser therapy offers fast, effective results using advanced, hands-on technology. 

What Is Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to trigger the body’s natural healing process, a method known as photobiomodulation. Think of it as activating your body’s internal repair system through light. In our clinic, we use Class IV hot lasers, which reach deeper tissues to improve blood flow, reduce swelling, and accelerate recovery. The energy stimulates mitochondria—your cells’ power sources—to boost tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation at the site of injury. 

How Does Laser Therapy Work?

Treatment with a Class IV laser delivers concentrated light directly to injured tissues. This light stimulates ATP production in your cells, increases circulation, reduces inflammation, and enhances tissue repair. Each session typically lasts 8 to 10 minutes, and for acute injuries, we recommend 3 to 4 sessions per week during the early stages of care. 

What Conditions Can Be Treated with Laser Therapy?

  • Strains and sprains: Helps relieve pain and speed up recovery from overused or stretched muscles and ligaments. 
  • Tendonitis and bursitis: Reduces inflammation in tendons and fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints. 
  • Ligament injuries: Promotes faster healing in torn or overstretched ligaments. 
  • Muscle tears: Assists in tissue regeneration and reduces scar tissue formation. 
  • Joint inflammation: Eases swelling and stiffness in joints affected by injury or arthritis. 
  • Post-fracture recovery: Improves circulation and supports healing once a bone is stabilized. 
  • Neck and back pain: Provides deep relief for spinal discomfort and surrounding muscle tension. 
  • Sports injuries: Shortens downtime and supports safe return to physical activity. 

How Laser Therapy Helps Relieve Pain

Laser therapy addresses three key causes of pain: inflammation, poor circulation, and nerve sensitivity. As light penetrates the skin, it improves blood flow, reduces swelling, calms irritated nerves, and stimulates tissue regeneration. Whether you’re healing from an injury or living with arthritis, laser therapy offers natural, non-invasive relief. 

Benefits of Laser Therapy

  • Stimulates tissue regeneration: Encourages cell repair and speeds up healing. 
  • Reduces inflammation and swelling: Decreases fluid buildup and eases tissue irritation. 
  • Relieves chronic and acute pain: Helps reduce both long-term and sudden pain conditions. 
  • Accelerates healing post-injury: Boosts recovery from sprains, strains, and soft tissue damage. 
  • Improves circulation and lymphatic flow: Increases blood and fluid movement to support healing. 
  • Increases mobility in stiff joints: Enhances flexibility and reduces joint stiffness. 
  • Drug-free and non-surgical: Offers natural pain relief without medication or invasive procedures. 
  • Pain-free with no downtime: Delivers results without discomfort or recovery time. 

Hot Laser Therapy in Chiropractic Care

Hot laser therapy, or Class IV laser therapy, uses high-powered light to treat deeper tissues like joints, muscles, and tendons. 

  • Produces gentle warmth: Generates a warm sensation that helps improve blood flow. 
  • Reaches deep tissues: Penetrates deeper than cold lasers for more effective treatment. 
  • No discomfort: Patients experience a soothing feeling without any pain. 
  • Supports structural recovery: Aids healing in spinal, muscular, and joint conditions. 

How Hot Laser Therapy Works

Class IV lasers excite the mitochondria in your cells—boosting ATP production and promoting faster cellular regeneration. 

  • Stimulates ATP production: Fuels your cells to repair and rebuild tissue efficiently. 
  • Enhances oxygen and nutrient flow: Improves circulation to help deliver the building blocks for healing. 
  • Improves circulation: Supports tissue repair by increasing blood movement in the area. 
  • Session duration: Each treatment typically lasts 8 to 10 minutes for convenience and effectiveness. 
  • Frequency: For acute pain, 3 to 4 sessions per week may be recommended for optimal improvement. 

Benefits of Hot Laser Therapy

  • Deep tissue penetration: Targets problem areas below the skin’s surface. 
  • Faster healing of muscles, joints, and ligaments: Speeds recovery for both acute and chronic injuries. 
  • Reduced pain and stiffness: Eases discomfort caused by inflammation or tension. 
  • Shorter post-surgical or post-injury recovery: Helps you get back to activity sooner. 
  • Minimized reliance on medication: Reduces the need for painkillers. 
  • Effective for car accident and sports injuries: Widely used for traumatic and repetitive-use injuries. 

Difference Between Hot and Cold Laser Therapy

  • Penetration depth: Hot lasers reach deeper tissues; cold lasers stay near the surface. 
  • Power and intensity: Hot lasers work faster and deliver more energy per session. 
  • Use cases: Hot lasers are used for joint, muscle, and nerve pain; cold lasers are better for minor inflammation or skin-level concerns. 

What Is Cold Laser Therapy?

Cold laser therapy, or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), uses less powerful light and does not produce heat: 

  • Used for surface-level conditions: Targets inflammation and soreness just below the skin. 
  • Limited penetration: Not suitable for treating deeper joints or muscles. 
  • No warmth: A comfortable option for heat-sensitive areas or mild cases. 

What Conditions Are Treated with Cold Laser Therapy?

  • Minor muscle strain: Eases mild aches and promotes faster surface healing. 
  • Mild joint inflammation: Reduces light swelling and joint discomfort. 
  • Chronic tendonitis: Helps with long-term irritation in tendons that are heat-sensitive. 
  • TMJ pain: Provides gentle relief for jaw joint discomfort. 
  • Surface swelling: Addresses post-activity swelling in superficial tissues. 
  • Some dermatological conditions: Occasionally used to support skin-level healing. 

Equipment Used for Laser Therapy

Our clinic uses a high-grade Class IV laser system designed for deep-tissue applications. 

  • Therapeutic wavelengths: Delivers targeted light tailored to your condition. 
  • FDA-cleared technology: Meets safety standards and clinical guidelines. 
  • Clinical precision: Each treatment is customized to ensure safe and effective results. 

Our Approach to Laser Therapy

Laser therapy at Washington Chiropractic is part of a customized, whole-body treatment plan: 

  • No one-size-fits-all care: Treatment is tailored to your injury and healing goals. 
  • Integrated treatment: Laser is used alongside chiropractic, massage, and rehab therapies. 
  • Non-invasive and drug-free: Offers a natural way to heal without medication or surgery. 
  • Patient-focused care: We track your progress and adjust your plan as you improve. 

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Please use the booking tool below to schedule an appointment at our Kennewick location or call (509) 579-0008. 

For other locations, see: Lakewood Chiropractic Clinic and Pasco Chiropractic Clinic. 

FAQs

  1. Is Laser Therapy safe for chronic pain?
    Yes, laser therapy is safe and FDA-cleared for the treatment of chronic pain. It uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing without causing tissue damage. Most patients feel a mild warmth during the session, but there is no downtime or significant side effects, making it a reliable option for long-term pain management.

  2. How many sessions are needed for Laser Therapy?
    The number of sessions varies based on the condition and its severity. Most patients benefit from 6 to 12 treatments over several weeks. Acute injuries may improve more quickly, while chronic conditions often require a longer, more consistent course of care.

  3. Does laser therapy really work?
    Yes. Laser therapy is clinically proven to reduce inflammation, enhance circulation, and accelerate tissue repair. Many patients report decreased pain and improved mobility within a few sessions. It is commonly used by chiropractors and physical therapists as a non-invasive addition to manual treatment techniques.

  4. How long does it take to get results with laser therapy?
    Relief can begin after just one or two sessions for some acute cases. Chronic or complex issues typically require several weeks to achieve noticeable improvement. The speed of results depends on the severity of the condition, patient consistency, and whether laser therapy is paired with other rehabilitative treatments.

 

Content Reviewed by

Dr. Gregory Lee DC
Dr. Eric Neumann, D.C.
Chiropractor
Author